A record number of architects and designers,
many lured by the promise of free admission, helped increase attendance at the
year’s Coverings to nearly 37,000. Show organizers say half of the show’s
attendance came from first time visitors. They noted that the decision to hold
Coverings in Chicago this year after a long history of meetings in Orlando,
Fla., clearly paid off.
In a move that will increase the cost of
producing carpet, BASF said it will raise prices on polymer products supplied
to the flooring industry. The chemical manufacturing company said the action is
being taken as a result of increased costs of raw material, feedstock, freight
and energy. A five-cents-per-pound increase is set to take effect June 4 and
will affect all Styrofan carboxylated styrene-butadiene emulsion polymer products.
Following the resignation of ceo Tony Sturrus,
Pergo AB and its North American arm Pergo Inc. have restructured their management
ranks, naming separate ceos to fill the duel posts previously held by Sturrus. Leading
the company’s North American operations will be George R. Kelley, who takes
over as president and ceo of the newly integrated flooring companies Pergo Inc
and Uniboard. In addition the company has named Michael Ernst as ceo
of the global parent company Pergo AB.
Carpet and rug maker the Dixie Group reported a
6 percent drop in sales during the first quarter, posting about $74.5 million compared
to nearly $80 million a year ago. The Chattanooga-based company, which is best
known for its Fabrica International, Masland Carpets and Dixie Home brands, said sluggish carpet sales at Home Depot triggered
the sales dip.
The U.S. Green Building Council, widely known
for its LEED green building rating system, says that more federal funding is
needed to continue developing green building technologies. Currently only 0.2
percent of all federally funded research is given to green building, according
to a recent USGBC report.
Mannington Mills said it will raise prices on
its commercial and residential resilient flooring beginning June 4. According
to the company, the price increases will help offset rising energy costs,
including a “tightening global demand for certain primary feed-stocks, higher
oil and natural gas prices, and higher transportation costs.” The slated 3 to 5
percent price hike will affect the company’s Adura Luxury Floors, Stainmaster
vinyl, VCT and select Mannington sheet vinyl lines.
Edge Flooring said it has finalized distribution
partnerships that will expand the availability of its tile/laminate hybrid
flooring in Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
In a move that will streamline the way Shaw Industries
sells flooring to hotels, the company said it will combine two of its well-established
commercial lines. Shaw Hospitality, a line of textured carpet developed for installation
in guest rooms, is being merged with Design Origins, which is comprised of
patterned carpet for lobbies, elevators and other public areas. The newly
created enterprise will be known as Shaw Hospitality Group. The company
describes it as an “overarching commercial hospitality brand.”
Citing rising energy costs,
Tarkett said it will raise prices on its commercial resilient tile lines
beginning June 1. Price increases for the flooring will be between 2 to 6 percent,
Tarkett notes.
“The continual rise in energy costs
dramatically affects not only our production costs but escalates freight
expenses,” said Gilles be Beaumont, president of Tarkett Commercial, North
America. “We will continue working diligently to assure that our products stay
competitive in the marketplace,” he added.
The decision follows similar announcements from Armstrong
and Congoleum made last week.
William
C. Martin, an internationally respected leader in the flooring industry whose
career spanned five decades, died April 17 due to complications stemming from a
heart condition. He was 80 years old.
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